Prince Williams joins Heart Breakfast live from the Isles of Scilly
Prince William has opened up about family life, Princess Catherine’s recovery and his childhood memories of the Isles of Scilly during a special live appearance on Heart Breakfast.
The Prince of Wales joined Jamie Theakston and Amanda Holden from the Isles of Scilly in Cornwall, where he spoke candidly about school runs with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, praised Catherine following her first official overseas visit since her cancer diagnosis, and even settled the cream tea debate.
During the interview, William spoke emotionally about Catherine’s recent visit to Italy and how proud he was to see her return to international duties.
He said: “So proud, I’m very very proud. She’s amazing, she’s been through so much in the last couple of years particularly, and she’s been looking forward to the Italian trip a lot, so I’m really glad it went really well.”
The Prince revealed Catherine had immersed herself in preparation for the trip, adding: “She’s a proper pro on early years, and most evenings I’m fighting to get past in the bedroom all the paperwork she’s got lined up to read.”
William also described how important Catherine has been to the family during a difficult period.
He said: “Very much so, she’s an amazing mum and an amazing wife, and literally our family couldn’t cope without her so she’s been absolutely stunning.”
The royal appearance featured several lighter moments too, including William joking about family chaos during the school run.
“It can be [chaotic] it depends if there is a guitar lesson or a music lesson, you have to get the guitar in the car, no we aren’t taking the car, are we boarding are we not, are we seeing friends or are we not,” he said.
Speaking about Prince Louis, he laughed: “There’s a lot of jam sandwiches in the car.”
When Amanda joked asking if the snacks were for him or Louis, William replied: “He’ll leave jam fingerprints throughout the car which is really helpful.”
The Prince also reflected warmly on his connection to the Isles of Scilly, revealing he holidayed there frequently as a child with King Charles and Princess Diana.
He said: “I used to come here a lot when I was younger. My parents brought me down here and it is, as you can see, a place like no other. It’s kind of a different world down here, it’s beautiful.”
William added that the islands offered freedom and privacy away from royal attention.
“Island life down here is wonderfully family-orientated and community. And so, people just get on and do their thing and enjoy themselves,” he said.
The Prince also discussed healthcare improvements on the islands through the Duchy of Cornwall, including expanded maternity services and housing for essential workers.
He said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing how the hospitals expanded, and having maternity services here now, and more social care.”
William recalled hearing about a dramatic birth involving coastguard rescue teams.
“I think down here is where they delivered in pregnancy, through labour, on an aircraft, it’s the only time it’s happened in the UK.”
And in perhaps the most British moment of the morning, the Duke of Cornwall officially declared himself firmly on the Devon side of the cream tea debate.
Asked whether cream or jam should go first on a scone, William replied: “I learned from my grandmother, and she would definitely, she would have the cream on first.
You can watch the full interview on YouTube.